Destiney Rentie raises bar, scores buckets, preaches team at Fontana

The junior wing pours in better than 20 points per game but gushes over team chemistry, sharing the ball and sportsmanship, making her easy to root for'

FONTANA, CALIFORNIA — Chat with Fontana High junior basketball star Destiney Rentie and it’s not long before “team” is mentioned.

“You have to have good chemistry and play as a team,” the 5-foot-9 Rentie said. “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team.’ You can’t do it all by yourself.”

She scores, yes, pouring in an average of 25.6 points per game in her first nine games. But she also averaged 9.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals and two blocks.

“I’m an all-around player,” she said. “I try to bring my team up when it’s down. I’m aggressive, but I’m a good sportsman. If I knock you down, I’ll help you up.”

Destiney Rentie is 'kind and always in a good mood and is very high spirited,' according to teammates. Plus she puts in well more than 20 points per game.  / Photo: John Murphy

Well-rounded

It's the second quarter and the Fontana girls are rolling against Arroyo Valley. Rentie is at the left wing and senses a Hawk defender leaning.

“Ball, ball!” Rentie yells as she cuts backdoor. She receives a perfect pass and glides in for a lay-up.

“I love scoring and making moves on people and getting my teammates the ball,” Rentie said. “I love the crowd and when they get all hyped up.”

Rentie is on her way to another 25-point night but it’s not obvious. The points pile up easily on an array of drives to the bucket and outside shots. She was a strong scorer as a sophomore (18.5) and freshman (12.5) also. But now she's nearly impossible to stop or box out. Rentie also averaged more than 12 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

“Her freshman year all her scoring was mid-range and lay-ups with almost no dribbling,” Fontana coach Eric Tabatabai said. “Now she’s a real threat from the 3-point line, is getting more comfortable dribbling and developing moves to the basket.”

Home sweet home

Fontana High, known as “FoHi” to many, was built during the post-war Southern California boom. It served many of the children of parents who came from across the country to work at the Kaiser Steel plant.

Students in those days could choose from an array of extra-curricular activities including Future Homemakers of America, Girls Athletic Association, Square Dance Club, and Future Farmers of America.

Fontana’s gym, built in 1954, is a throwback to that era. It’s a double-decker, with wooden benches in the second deck that appear to be original.

This is where Rentie and the Steelers (20-5 overall, 6-1 San Andreas League) excel.

Fontana won nine of 10 games and 17 of 19 to start the season with Rentie leading the way and Akami Garrett and Vivianna Powell averaging close to double digits per game. The Steelers host San Gorgonio Tuesday at 7 p.m.

(All photos below by John Murphy)

Photo: John Murphy

Rentie admires Garrett and the feeling is mutual.

“Destiney is a goof ball player,” Garrett said. “She’s kind and always in a good mood and is very high spirited. On the court she’s consistent. We depend on her a lot.”

Rentie’s mom Nicole lauded her work ethic and persistence and confirmed her daughter’s off-beat side.

“She’s goofy and likes to dance but she’s not very good at it,” Nicole said. “It always brings a smile to everyone’s face. She’s good at basketball and track and field, but when it comes to dancing, she’s just a little off.”

All about team

The buzzer sounds and Fontana wins 59-21. Chalk another one up for the Steelers.

Asked what she enjoyed most about the game, Rentie’s answer is predictable.

“I liked playing with my teammates and passing the ball to each other and seeing the looks on their faces when we make plays,” she said.

John Murphy is the sports editor of Century Group of Southern California. Follow him at @PrepDawg2.